I'm Elise. I write. Because I must.

The evil phone

Like I said, I’m an introvert. I’m not shy, but I’m often accused of being shy. Or a snob. Or standoffish. Or other things. That’s sort of how it goes for introverts. People who enjoy big groups of people and making small talk and other extroverted things don’t understand us so they stick labels on us that don’t really fit. You can ask my friends, I’m anything but shy. I probably am too open sometimes. I’m just slow to warm up to people.

Being introverted means a lot more too. There’s a whole long list of the things introverts have issues with. I’m not going to list those out though. Y’all can find them with a simple Google search if you want to.

Today I’m going to talk to you about one of my biggest struggles – phone calls.

I never answer on the first ring because I’m doing this.

I detest talking on the phone. When my phone rings I have to stare at it for at least one ring while a voice in my head says “You have to answer it. Be a grown-up. Answer it. Go on.”

Making a phone call is even worse. If it is to a stranger or a business I have to build myself up to for sometimes days. I need to plot out what I’ll say, make sure I have anything I might need during the call handy, and stare at the number for a good while before I can make a call. I’ll even spend hours searching for the information I need just to avoid calling someone and asking for it.

Yup. That’s how it goes.

I’m always grateful when people email me or text me. Like I want to hug them I’m so grateful.

Hmm. I should totally do this.

There are a handful of people in my world that I love enough to call and have an actual conversation with. Even though afterwards I’ll be totally drained and probably not speak another word the rest of the day to compensate.

That’s love right there…

I know talking on the phone to me is a chore too. There are lots of awkward silences because I suck at small talk. I don’t like to just visit on the phone. That’s what emails and texts are for. I’m thankful for my friends who prefer to text too. Makes me love them even more. I also can’t focus on just the phone call. I have to walk the house or work on something on my computer while talking. Yes, I have to distract myself from the phone call I’m currently having to deal. It’s nuts I know.

So yeah, I’d be happy if my phone never really rang again. I know that’s totally unrealistic though. So I’ll keep dealing with the evil phone.

That’s why I love you, we think with the same brain. We have lovely IM and text conversations, we talk when necessary, and we can even spend an entire weekend together knowing that small talk is not necessary and silence is okay.